Early retirement is a financially sound choice for only 30 percent of 62-year-olds, according to a new analysis conducted by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. But that doesn't mean older workers will need to work indefinitely.

Researchers reviewed income and expected expenses to calculate when households would be able to retire between the ages of 50 and 90. The study found that while not everyone will be ready to retire at 66 or younger, an overwhelming majority will be ready for retirement by age 70.

While the news isn't good for those wishing to retire early, the percent of those financially ready to retire goes up steadily with age.

At age 62, the earliest a senior can begin collecting Social Security benefits, only three in 10 workers will have enough income to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living. Even among high-income households, only 38 percent will be prepared to retire at this age. Of workers able to retire early, 60 percent have a defined benefit plan, such as a traditional pension.

However, by age 66, which is considered the full retirement age by Social Security, the number jumps to just more than half of all households. At age 70, researchers calculate 85 percent of workers will be able to comfortably retire.

According to the report, the findings point to the significance of Social Security benefits as a substantial source of income for retirees. Under current policies, Social Security benefits can be increased for each year an individual delays retirement, up to age 70.

The Boston College researchers completed their analysis by adjusting the National Retirement Risk Index. This index calculates the number of households who are at risk for being unable to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living once they stop working.

The National Retirement Risk Index indicates 51 percent of American households are considered at risk. However, the numbers are calculated based upon individuals retiring at age 65. The Boston College analysis used a variation of the index to determine how much longer most households would have to work before being financially ready for retirement.

According to the findings, Americans can rest assured that working into one's 80s or 90s is not a financial necessity for most people. Instead, for those unable to retire at age 65, most will be able to stop working in less than seven years:

Only 2.8 percent of those sampled would not be able to retire by age 90.

Continued here:
Is 70 the new magic number for retirement?

Last fall, Florida Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Tom Grady praised an investigator in the agency's Pensacola office who helped crack a $3million mortgage fraud scheme.

"Thanks to (her) leadership,'' Grady said, "the OFR is doing its part to put bad guys behind bars.''

Even as he touted that success, Grady was paving the way to close the Pensacola office and three others half of OFR's regional offices.

The closings, which took effect this month, were part of Grady's mission to slash costs at the state agency that oversees mortgage brokers, banks and securities firms. The moves come even as a new report shows Florida continues to lead the nation in mortgage fraud.

Grady, now back in the private sector, defended the office closures. He insisted resources devoted to financial investigations actually increased while he cut back in areas already handled by other agencies.

In his six months running OFR, the Naples millionaire and friend of Gov. Rick Scott proved a study in contrasts a fiscal conservative who embraced Scott's cost-cutting ethos yet a liberal spender who:

Charged the state more than $800 to go to Atlanta for a two-day banking conference, but skipped the second day when he left for a week's vacation in Utah.

Spent more than $6,000 on in-state travel, including $296 for a night at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota and $240 for a night at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

Sought reimbursement for more than $10,000 worth of office furniture, including a $2,482 leather sofa and a $563 floor lamp.

It was a pattern that continued in March when Grady, 54, became interim president of Citizens Property Insurance, charged with drastically shrinking the state-run company. At Citizens, Grady spent more than $10,000 on travel in just two months before losing the permanent job to a Maryland insurance executive, the Tampa Bay Times detailed in a recent story.

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Florida's former financial regulation commissioner was liberal personal spender

Every week I get many e-mails from readers asking me for specific fitness advice. While I am not an expert, one of my goals has been to bring the experts to you to answer your questions. And while the questions I get are very wide-ranging in topic, the number one thing people want to know is how to find a personal trainer.

Since I have never hired a personal trainer, I asked Dr. Adam Naylor, who leads Telos Sport Psychology Consulting and is a clinical assistant professor in Boston Universitys School of Education. He has a decade and a half worth of experiences working with professional and amateur athletes, and has hired and worked with many trainers through the years.

Here's my Q&A with him on what you need to know when looking for a trainer:

Q. What qualifications should you look for in a trainer? What certifications are important?

A. For certifications the National Strength and Conditioning Association (www.nsca-lift.org) and the American College of Sports Medicine (www.acsm.org) are good places to start. For academic degrees, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, and Physical Therapy are strong knowledge bases for personal training. If someone is looking to improve athletic performance Id seek out a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and/or a certified Athletic Trainer. For general fitness, an ACSM certified professional and/or Physical Therapist should have credible wisdom to share.

Certifications are important because they show some level of professional competence and curiosity. While they do not tell how well someone coaches, there are a fair marker of aptitude and professionalism.

Q. How do you know what kind of person will work well with your personality?

A. By talking to her/him a bit, hearing how your goals resonate with the personal trainer, and by trying a class or session on for size. Having the same personality of you is not always the best for you, as it could lead to an unbalanced approach to exercise and training. A great trainer supports your strengths and complements your areas for development.

Q. Should you interview your prospective trainer? If so,what should you ask them?

A. You should absolutely interview a prospective personal coach. For two reasons: 1. It is an investment of time and money. Investments are most lucrative when we research them a bit, 2. For confidence and commitment. If questions are answered, they do not linger in the back of your head, allowing you to get fully engaged in the workouts ahead of you.

The rest is here:
How to find a personal trainer

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Keynote Systems (KEYN) subsidiary, Keynote DeviceAnywhere, the global leader in mobile application lifecycle management (mALM), has announced that the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company or VALIC has selected Keynote DeviceAnywheres Test Center Enterprise (TCE) Interactive to enhance and provide ongoing technological support for the VALIC Mobile app.

VALIC engaged Keynote DeviceAnywhere to build an on-premise environment to host dedicated iOS devices behind the companys own firewall for optimum security and reliability. Through Keynote DeviceAnywheres TCE Interactive, VALIC is assuring the quality of the VALIC Mobile app to prevent and address potential issues that may cause downtime, ensuring that customers have access to their financial investment information anytime, anywhere.

TCE Interactive provides organizations with a robust, cloud-based tool for manually testing any mobile app or website, addressing the challenges of device and platform diversity while optimizing manual testing efforts. TCE Interactive enables access to real smart devices connected to live networks not simulated or emulated devices so that businesses can develop and test internal- and external-facing mobile apps and websites. Click here for more information about TCE Interactive.

Mobile is becoming the preferred channel for financial institutions to empower customers to perform transactions and track their financial progress; however, with large sums of money and customers at stake, these organizations must ensure that their mobile apps function faultlessly or else they risk losing money or worse, drive customers to competitors, said Faraz Syed, President, Keynote DeviceAnywhere. By leveraging TCE Interactive, organizations like VALIC are ensuring the consistent quality of their mobile apps by testing them on any device, platform or OS to recognize and address latent issues before they affect customers.

The VALIC Mobile app allows customers to have a holistic view of their investment progress and manage fund portfolios, helping them plan and track their assets. They can leverage the app to view their portfolio summary; plan summary; transaction history; fund inquiry; personal performance; access the savings gap analysis tool; search for financial advisor contact information; receive market updates, and more.

About Keynote DeviceAnywhere

Keynote DeviceAnywhere, a subsidiary of Keynote Systems, Inc. (KEYN), provides the industrys only true enterprise-class, cloud-based platform for testing and monitoring the functionality, usability, performance and availability of mobile applications and websites. The companys suite of mobile application lifecycle management (mALM) solutions assures the quality of enterprise mobile applications and services, helping to extend businesses and brands to the mobile channel. To learn more about Keynote DeviceAnywhere and to sign up for a free trial, visitwww.keynotedeviceanywhere.com.

Interested in our perspective on trends and issues in the mobile marketplace? Visit our blog, and follow us on Twitter.

About Keynote Systems

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VALIC Assures Quality and Performance of Mobile App Offering through Keynote DeviceAnywhere

KENT BLECHYNDEN/Fairfax NZ

SIGNING ON: 'My performances open up a new avenue to show the creative side of sign language,' says burlesque dancer Jepha Krieg.

Her undergarments are bejewelled, her routines are cheeky, but it is what Jepha Krieg does with her hands that sets her aside from other burlesque dancers.

Sign language is a pivotal communication tool for the hearing-impaired and for the 22-year-old Wellingtonian who incorporates it into burlesque, the language is another way to express her creativity.

By taking sign language a step further, she is not only making her mark in the Wellington burlesque community, but she also believes she is the country's first signing burlesque artist.

"Sign language is so expressive and is perfect for performance," says Krieg, whose first show involved signing to Katy Perry's song Peacock, and Born to Handjive by Johnny Otis.

"That was perfect, as deaf people are born to handjive," she says.

Signing is an official New Zealand language and, for Krieg, it is more than just a communication tool.

"My performances open up a new avenue to show the creative side of sign language. It's not just a novelty, or a way for handicapped people to talk."

Through her performances, Krieg hopes to make both the comedy of burlesque and the songs she uses more accessible to the deaf, and to expose sign language to people who would not otherwise experience it.

Link:
Adding a personal touch to burlesque

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was delighted with his performance in the Champions League final.

The Nigeria international is proud to begin the new season as a European champion.

"I was very delighted with how the game went for me personally but overall it was a collective team performance and everyone helped me to play well," he told chelseafc.com.

"The whole team worked very hard, we knew we had almost touched it the last time we were in the final and this time we were so determined not to let it go. The performance was just amazing from everyone in the team, even the guys on the bench. The support that they gave to the players just kept lifting you up as you played extra time. It was something we all did well as a team to achieve.

"People still talk about that night everywhere we go but for us now we have done it and we want to build on it.

"We won't relax, we want to keep building and keep winning trophies. We have lost some players and hopefully the guys who come in will bring even more than the guys who have left, but the guys who have left did really well for this team and they will always be remembered."

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Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel proud of his personal Champions League final

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Location Based Technologies, Inc. (LBAS), a leading service provider of asset, personal and pet GPS locators and devices, today announced the first of a series of sales partner announcements as it expands its retail customer reach to now include the Crutchfield Corporation, a long-time leader in consumer electronics retailing that specializes in consumer electronics. Crutchfield will offer both PocketFinder Personal and Vehicle GPS location devices that allow you to see the current location of your children, pet or vehicle even when you are on the go anywhere, anytime.

The PocketFinder location devices are simple to use and highly mobile with a feature rich interface supported by free iOS and Android Apps or via a traditional computer. The rugged and waterproof PocketFinder Personal Locator fits easily in a pocket, purse or backpack and provides real time information about location of the device, as well as 60+ day location history. PocketFinder Personal devices are ideal for staying connected with young children, teenage drivers, pets, assets, special needs family members and the elderly. The Vehicle device is easy to attach to most any type of vehicle and delivers the ability to know that your vehicle is where it is supposed to be, when it is supposed to be there. This new application of GPS technology changes the way families stay connected and assets are tracked.

This shipment of product to Crutchfield adds to the caliber of retail excellence PocketFinder has enjoyed since its product launch in November with Apple Retail and Apple Online, stated Dave Morse, CEO of Location Based Technologies. Having another great partner, also recognized as one of the countrys great retailers consistently delivering superior customer service, is another important milestone and validation that consumers and retailers alike agree that PocketFinders are terrific products delivering superior performance, added Dave Morse.

The PocketFinder Personal Locator has a best-in-class end user interface, which can be accessed via a web browser or any web-enabled phone. The PocketFinder GPS Mapping Application pinpoints the location of all selected PocketFinder GPS Locators within 10 feet. Users can customize the map application by establishing zones that automatically send alerts if a device enters or leaves a zone. Alerts are sent instantly via email, SMS text and push notification.

As part of its support for LBTs customers, we offer free iOS 5-compatible PocketFinder Personal GPS Locator and GPS Vehicle Locator apps for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch; and Android phones.

MSRP for the PocketFinder GPS Personal Locator is $149 and includes two months of service. Ongoing wireless connectivity charge is $12.95 per month providing customers with near real-time location information.

Crutchfield Corporation

Bill Crutchfield founded his company in 1974 with a strong instinct to connect with his customers and to use their feedback as his compass. Complete information and exceptional customer service are guiding values that define the company culture as it exists today. Crutchfield is a 12 time winner of BizRates Circle of Excellence and has been recognized by TWICE as a Best Consumer Direct Electronics Dealer. They are also the recipient of the STELLAService Elite rating, the highest rating offered by this industry known and independent customer service rating agency. Bill himself has joined Thomas Edison in the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame.

About Location Based Technologies

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Location Based Technologies Expands Retail Outreach for Personal, Pet and Vehicle GPS Devices

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

When it comes to project and program management, what truly propels organizational success? What preconceived notions of personal and professional achievement must be challenged, reconstructed and implemented in order for individuals and organizations to reach their goals?

At Project Management Institutes PMI Global Congress 2012 North America, world-renowned author, consultant and speaker Marcus Buckingham will provide attendees with insight on how they can harness and apply their unique workplace strengths, and how those strengths can translate into long-term success for them and for their organizations. His presentation will draw on his career as a senior researcher for Gallup Organization, where he has spent two decades collecting and analyzing data and delivering results that redefine the true drivers of achievement. It will also highlight the findings of his latest project, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal bestseller StandOut. StandOut delivers practical innovations that fit individual strengths and provides managers with quick insights on how to get the best from each member of their team.

Marcus Buckinghams insight into workplace strengths, how to maximize them and the crucial differences between leadership and management are unmatched, said Mark A. Langley, President and CEO of PMI. His presentation will give attendees a new perspective on how to fulfill the quest for long-lasting achievement not just in the workplace, but in all walks of life.

In addition to StandOut, Buckinghams work includes four best-selling books: First, Break All the Rules (coauthored with Curt Coffman; Simon & Schuster, 1999); Now, Discover Your Strengths (coauthored with Donald O. Clifton; The Free Press, 2001); The One Thing You Need to Know (The Free Press, 2005); and Go Put Your Strengths To Work (The Free Press, 2007).

In his role as an author, independent consultant and speaker, Mr. Buckingham has been the subject of in-depth profiles in The New York Times, Fortune, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. He has appeared on numerous television programs, including The Today Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show, and is routinely lauded by such corporations as Toyota, Coca-Cola, Master Foods, Wells Fargo, Microsoft and Disney as an invaluable resource in informing, challenging, mentoring and inspiring people to find their strengths and sustain long-lasting personal success.

About PMI Global Congress 2012North America

PMIs Global Congress is the worlds premier project management educational and networking event, providing a forum in which practitioners and professionals can network, further their skills and learn how their projects fit within the context of world and economic affairs. The PMI Global Congress 2012North America will be held from 2023 October 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. To register, visit http://congresses.pmi.org/NorthAmerica2012/Registration/. Start networking early on LinkedIn by joining PMI Global CongressNorth America and on Twitter @PMICongress.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the worlds largest project management member association, representing more than 600,000 practitioners in more than 185 countries. As a global thought leader and knowledge resource, PMI advances the profession through its global standards and credentials, collaborative chapters and virtual communities and academic research. When organizations invest in project management, supported by PMI, executives have confidence that their important initiatives will deliver expected results, greater business value and competitive advantage. Visit us at http://www.PMI.org, http://www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.

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World-Renowned Author, Consultant Marcus Buckingham to Keynote PMI® Global Congress 2012—North America

Recently I sat down with a new friend I met for dinner. We talked about what it takes to achieve the goals you want to achieve in life. My friend is already a very accomplished marketing professional. And yet, there was lots more she wanted to do. One conclusion I kept coming back to in this talk is that a large amount of how successful you will be in life comes down to the people you spend time with.

This is why:

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.' Jim Rohn

This quote is one of the most powerful ones that I keep reminding myself over and over again. I am the average of the five people I spend the most time with. Others around myself determine how I think, how I act, and ultimately how successful I will be.

This video from Jim Rohn is amazing. In short: You'll face many struggles along the way if you are seeking success and happiness. If you are the sower, your seeds will get picked up by the birds first and won't give a return. Then they will fall on shallow ground, leaving you with nothing again. Then they will fall on thorny ground and the sun will shine so hot that your small plant will die after the first day. No return either.

Then, one day, the seeds will fall on good ground and finally give you the expected return and success. The only way you can make sure that you will fight your way through this hardship is with the right people by your side.

It doesn't matter how smart you are. It doesn't matter how talented you are, which skills you have, where you are born, or which family you came from. All that counts if you want to be successful in life is the people you surround yourself with.

It's a notion so simple, yet so difficult to get started with. Something I tried to do very specifically is this exercise:

It's ok to end up with this:

"Since last you heard from me, I lost some friends, well, heh, me and Snoop we're dippin' again." ~ Dr. Dre (Still D.R.E.)

Read more from the original source:
How the People Around You Affect Personal Success [Success]

Recently I sat down with a new friend I met for dinner. We talked about what it takes to achieve the goals you want to achieve in life. My friend is already a very accomplished marketing professional. And yet, there was lots more she wanted to do. One conclusion I kept coming back to in this talk is that a large amount of how successful you will be in life comes down to the people you spend time with.

Image remixed from Leremy

This is why:

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Jim Rohn

This quote is one of the most powerful ones that I keep reminding myself over and over again. I am the average of the five people I spend the most time with. Others around myself determine how I think, how I act, and ultimately how successful I will be.

This video from Jim Rohn is amazing. In short: Youll face many struggles along the way if you are seeking success and happiness. If you are the sower, your seeds will get picked up by the birds first and wont give a return. Then they will fall on shallow ground, leaving you with nothing again. Then they will fall on thorny ground and the sun will shine so hot that your small plant will die after the first day. No return either.

Then, one day, the seeds will fall on good ground and finally give you the expected return and success. The only way you can make sure that you will fight your way through this hardship is with the right people by your side.

It doesnt matter how smart you are. It doesnt matter how talented you are, which skills you have, where you are born, or which family you came from. All that counts if you want to be successful in life is the people you surround yourself with.

Its a notion so simple, yet so difficult to get started with. Something I tried to do very specifically is this exercise:

Its OK to end up with this:

Read more:
How The People Around You Affect Personal Success